This is the CD version of Zephyrous' first demo from 1994, released by French label Impure Creations Records in 1995. I think many find CD a better media for 11 track demo which lasts for over 50 minutes, than a cassette. Cover includes just recording information, pictures and a thanks list.

Intro sounds, uh, Mediterranean, so to say. And in other songs I hear influences from two big Greek black metal bands: Rotting Christ (old) and Necromantia. Limbonic Art also come to my mind, even though this isn't close to even Norwegians' coldness. There's even some "rockier" stuff on the beginning of the third song! Synth is used, but it's okay and a big part of the music. Emperor of the Mourning Moon is marked for playing drums, but I bet drums are actually a machine! Sounds like programmed ones. Well enough programmed, but I still don't like them, since they are too loud.

The songs are not very varying from each other, but the songs last from 2 to 7 minutes which is good. There's different parts in the songs, from more punishing blast beat to calmer, acoustic passages. This is very long for a demo, so maybe there should have been some cutting. Sound is thin, but okay enough for a demo and cold enough for black metal. Vocals of Dreamlord are very ugly, but I can even understand some lyrics.

What we get here is melodic, even though not "sweet", Greek black metal. And the songs stick into my mind... This is somewhat dated, but I guess this was much more original back in 1994.

Reviewed by Lane
08/10/2001 11:06